The Vancouver Art Gallery & Looking Back

Isn't it remarkable that we have an entire vocabulary and creative urges with which to express ourselves. Although existence is an integrated system where humankind must find common ground to survive, we contribute uniquely with a personal spin on things. 
 
The Vancouver Art Gallery I visited provided paper and pencils to encourage mini art projects and poetry. My poem below, written after the visit, was inspired by the Poets and Storytellers United prompt "looking back" and the multi-media displays at the gallery reflecting indigenous and like-minded holistic views from past to present.
 
I took many pictures that day but failed to photograph even a single painting by the great Canadian West Coast artist, Emily Carr, who conveyed her extraordinary enchantment with nature through luxurious, bold and motion-filled strokes.

Oddly enough, the original painting of my print copy (above) was not included in the extensive Emily Carr collection at the gallery. I learned there was a bit of a controversy about the painting's name, titled Indian Church and later changed to Church at Yuquot Village. You can read about the painting and the artist's evolving techniques HERE.
   
There was much to dazzle the senses, including this art installation by Jim Lambie described in detail HERE. Installing this work must have been a tremendous challenge.
   
Striking and thought-provoking indigenous art was featured from the gallery's permanent collection. The Pacific Coast themes of water and all nature as living entities show the profound interconnectedness of existence. My last photos at the bottom are of a beautifully rendered film of overlapping images by Sydney France Pascal called Distance which to me conveyed moods of both separation and of coming together.
   
Explore more at Poets and Storytellers UnitedSKYWATCH and Saturday's Critters

Comments

  1. A beautiful reminder that we are all one, with each other and with our shared environment. :)

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  2. Oh Maria I absolutely love your poem It is beautiful The art is very colourful and original. Good to see paua shells We just picked some up from the beach last week.

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  3. You know a good art museum challenges our brain and our eyes, our sense of self. More people need to visit art museums and get out of their heads is what I think.

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  4. Dazzle the senses is right. Beautiful displays!

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  5. I love that closing question, it feels both grounding and expansive at the same time.

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  6. What a treat your post is! I love your deeply thoughtful poem, leaving the question open to expand the possibilities. I also love seeing the wonderful art you so kindly share here – and, fascinatingly enough, I love most of all the little pegged up pictures which clearly merit the label amateur, and which I find utterly delightful. (The shells struck a chord too, as I was married for 27 years to an abalone diver.)

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  7. I love the magic in your words and all the colourful images it creates - Love the artwork too - especially the stair case - Jae

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  8. Oh Indigenous art does challenge the senses ~ Love Emily Carr's art works ~ delightful and enlightening post and photos ~ hugs ^_^

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  9. The Penelope poem was very meaningful to me today. Thank you. Hugs, Diane

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  10. Hello,
    I loved your poem and all the beautiful art work. The staircase would make me dizzy.
    The frog sculpture is cute! Thank you for linking up and sharing your critter post. Take care, have a great weekend.

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  11. Thank you for the (virtual) art museum visit. We are lacking those opportunities where we are right now so it is much appreciated. As well as the reminders of the Pacific Northwest.

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  12. Thank you also for your comment sharing the quote from Thoreau "heaven is under our feet as well as above our head..." It was and is perfect. (not least since I am at an age when I have to keep my eyes on the ground when hiking ;).

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  13. ...Maria, the Indian Church or the Church at Yuquot Village would be right at home in Hawaii! The art installation by Jim Lambie is spellbinding as are the indigenous art. Thanks for taking me on this art journey.

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  14. I think a well balanced life requires us to be all these things at one point or another. What a cool museum!

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  15. I love those stairs and the floor installation. I could stare at that all day.

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  16. Nine lines of metaphor held by the stem, nice artwork.

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  17. You are all parts of the flower, but different ones at different times.
    Thoughtful poem, and amazing photos. Love that frog, and the end photos.

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